The Israel-New Zealand Working Holiday Scheme (WHS), which was launched in November 2011, offers 200 places to New Zealanders to stay and work in Israel for up to 12 months. It’s part of an agreement between the respective governments to give young people from both countries the opportunity for a new cultural experience.
Israel boasts a youthful culture. And because there are so many things a young Kiwi visitor to the country might be doing—from enjoying the great outdoors and classic historical sites to the vibrant life of sun-baked Tel Aviv—the Government of Israel is now offering a limited number of visas for younger New Zealand visitors to appreciate it all the more.
The main assumption of the scheme is that participants in Israel must be there on holiday, with work being a secondary intention to their visit. Holders of WHS visa may, however, work for up to three months at any one place during their visit.
The other main requirements are listed below.
- have a New Zealand passport valid for at least 18 months from the visa’s date of issue.
- be aged 18-30.
- not be accompanied by children.
- hold a return-ticket to Israel.
- have a minimum of NZ$3,000 in available funds to meet your living costs while in Israel.
- have a medical certificate from a GP showing that you have an acceptable standard of health—which is to say, you are not sick with infectious or chronic diseases (such as tuberculosis, hepatitis, syphilis, gonorrhea or HIV) that can be a danger to public health or impose significant demands on Israel’s health services.
- have a police clearance certificate from every country you have been in for 12 months or longer during the past five years.
- have proof of comprehensive medical insurance for the length of your stay.
- Have not held an Israeli Working Visa in the past.
How to apply
Embassy of Israel
PO Box 25485
Wellington 6146
The application form must be filled out completely, signed by the applicant and accompanied by a recent passport photo (5x5) no older than six months, a copy of the personal information page of the passport and a payment confirmation of the visa application fee either by cash payment at the Embassy or by direct debit into the Embassy’s bank account (ANZ 01-0505-0439510-00).
The application fee is NZ$57.
As soon as your application has been accepted for processing, we will send you an acknowledgement email advising you of your application reference number. At that point we‘ll need to see the following other documentation:
- a copy of your return ticket to Israel.
- a recent New Zealand bank statement.
- your passport.
- a copy of your medical insurance policy.
- a medical certificate.
- a police-clearance certificate.
- two passport-size photographs with your full name on the back of each.
When we have received all the requested information and documentation, we will process the application. All required information should reach the Embassy within 30 days of the initial application date.
The Embassy reserves the right to decline any application without refunding the application fee.
If your application is successful, you will have to come to the Embassy in person for identification, so that we will be able to issue you with a visa valid for entry for three months from the date of issue. Upon your arrival into Israel, you will be issued with a multiple-entry visa, valid for 12 months, by the Passport Control Authority.
Thank you for your interest, and we look forward to hearing from you.